perce

CMQ observer satisfied with progress in Percé

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – The Town of Percé is demonstrating a clear commitment to improving its governance. This is the key take away from the report published on February 20 by Minister of Municipal Affairs Andrée Laforest. The report was prepared by observer Mélanie Robert, who was appointed following last July’s damning finding by the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ). 

Mélanie Robert’s mandate was to verify whether the measures put in place by the town, in response to the CMQ’s recommendations were effectively addressing the identified issues. 

The final report was presented to council members and the general management team on February 19. 

Throughout her mandate, Ms. Robert noted a clear desire to rectify the situation, both on the part of the town’s employees and the members of the council. 

She notes that the town has already taken serious and significant steps to remedy certain problems, including the active participation of its staff and council members in information sessions, and the invitation extended by senior management to various bidders to carry out an organizational diagnosis. 

The council ensures that it has all the information necessary for decision-making, in particular by introducing decision summaries for more complex or extensive files. 

Ms. Robert also notes that the town is in good financial health and the main internal control and monitoring mechanisms are in place. 

However, she recommends that the Regulation decreeing the rules for budgetary control and monitoring be updated, in particular to specify the areas of jurisdiction for which each delegation applies and to update the amounts thus authorized. The undersigned also recommends that these mechanisms be accompanied by work tools that promote a better understanding of the budget management process among teams while ensuring sustainability in the transmission of best practices in this area. 

It should be noted that this recommendation could also be enhanced by those, where applicable, of the human resources representative who will issue an organizational diagnosis. 

The observer reiterates the importance for the town to ensure complete management and appropriate monitoring of sensitive or difficult labour relations files. She points out that specific training in conflict management exists and that specialized support resources are available. 

She suggests that the town update its Policy on the Prevention of Harassment, Incivility and Violence in the Workplace. 

The administration must continue its efforts to ensure sound management of the town. 

The Minister of Municipal Affairs is confident that other actions will be deployed to this end, in the interest of the entire community. 

The ministry is also closely monitoring the situation and remains available, particularly through the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regional Directorate, to help and support the town in carrying out its duties. 

“The seven recommendations of the Commission’s investigation department have almost been completed. We still have a few small tasks to complete before the rest of the year,” says Mayor Daniel Leboeuf. 

One of these is the organizational diagnosis ordered in February and which will be completed in the spring. 

In July 2024, the CMQ report concluded that wrongdoing had been committed in the Town of Percé. 

The Commission’s president, Jean-Philippe Marois, noted a worrying culture regarding compliance with applicable rules within the town. 

This culture is reflected in a flagrant lack of internal control measures and monitoring mechanisms. This is the main problem identified by the investigation. 

Thus, the situation in which the town is currently immersed is caused by numerous dysfunctions, which are only the symptoms of this serious case of mismanagement and for which the responsibility cannot be attributed solely to the general management. The commission noted that significant disagreements persist within the administration and have led to the resignation of several employees. As for the town council, it does not seem to realize the extent of the situation or show any desire to rectify it. 

CMQ observer satisfied with progress in Percé Read More »

Percé: No permanent director general before 2026

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – The Town of Percé does not intend to fill the position of director general of the municipality before 2026. Instead, the town will rely on an interim director due to the number of files that need to be resolved quickly. 

“The council contacted the municipal associations of Quebec – the Fédération québécoise des municipalités and the Association des directeurs municipalités du Québec – which have banks of experienced candidates who could come in the interim to manage all the upcoming files in Percé in 2025,” emphasizes the mayor, Daniel Leboeuf. 

Among these files, the mayor cites the negotiation of the collective agreement, the organizational diagnosis, the recruitment of new people and the municipal elections in November. 

“(We have to) take advantage of the experience of a director general for the municipality to help us set this up and then recruit a permanent resource,” says the mayor. 

The organizational diagnosis will contain recommendations. “We must continue the recovery and once advanced, perhaps in 2026, we will recruit permanently. We will find someone who wants to make a career in our beautiful town with a municipality that functions well and that has all its directors,” says Mr. Leboeuf. 

Now four months into his term, the mayor believes harmony has returned to the Town Hall. “The discussions are much more cordial during public meetings. I avoid controversy. It reflects the climate at the town hall. It’s friendlier,” says the mayor, who emphasizes the work of the civil service to keep the town up and running. 

Recruitment continues to fill vacant positions. The position of director general will become vacant on March 6. The incumbent, Michel Fréchette, resigned on February 4, a few moments before the start of the public council meeting. He had only been in the role for seven months. 

Percé: No permanent director general before 2026 Read More »

Dredging is needed again at the Percé wharf 

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – A new dredging session is planned this year at the Percé wharf. The Quebec Ministry of Transport says the work should take place towards the end of April to avoid delaying the start of the fishing season and the arrival of tourism activities. 

Since the plans and specifications are still being finalized, the exact quantities to be dredged remain to be confirmed. Unlike in previous years, the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie Port Corporation will coordinate this operation in 2025. 

Regarding long-term solutions to prevent the fishing harbour from silting up, the ministry indicates that the hydro-sedimentary surveys, including raw bathymetry and topography data, will be analyzed by the engineering firm responsible for studies to design a sustainable solution for the Percé wharf. 

The ministry continues to actively seek a sustainable resolution to the erosion and silting problems. “The first step will consist of conducting specialized studies, such as a coastal marine hydraulic study, a coastal sediment transport study, an agitation and navigability study, as well as a comparison of scenarios based on a multi-criteria analysis,” the ministry wrote in an email. 

These studies are scheduled to begin in the winter of 2025. For the moment, there is no precise timetable for their duration due to the need for government authorizations. 

Dredging work at the Percé wharf costs between $350,000 and $450,000 annually. They have been necessary since 2021, following the completion of the wharf reconstruction in 2020, which was transferred by the federal government to the Government of Quebec. 

Furthermore, on the protective wall inside the fishing harbour that protects a SÉPAQ building and, to a certain extent, nearby rue du Mont-Joli, the ministry notes that the facilities do not belong to it. However, the ministry conducted emergency work in 2024 to protect the wall’s integrity. Rock was thus added behind the wall, in sections particularly exposed to the impact of waves and at risk for its stability. The ministry also plans to consolidate the front of the wall to prevent any subsidence. 

Since this work will take place in a coastal zone and a historic area, environmental authorizations, as well as from the Ministry of Culture and Communications will be required. 

According to the ministry, taking into account the time needed to obtain these authorizations and to finalize the plans and specifications, the stabilization work should be completed in 2026. 

“It is important to note that despite this work, one of the SÉPAQ buildings remains at risk during storms. Also, the loss of boardwalk equipment caused by waves during storms is a phenomenon that is likely to recur. However, it is not within the MTSM’s (Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility) mandate to ensure the maintenance of the boardwalk,” states the ministry’s note. 

The emergency work carried out behind the retaining wall cost approximately $240,000. Mayor Daniel Leboeuf expressed concern on the sidelines of the January town council meeting about the integrity of the structure. “The end of this promenade has been affected. Even the emergency work is starting to fail. We are losing large sections of it,” says the mayor. “We will have to see if we will not have to find another solution,” he suggested. 

Dredging is needed again at the Percé wharf  Read More »

Former director of urban planning for the Town of Percé faces charges

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – The former director of urban planning for the Town of Percé, Ghislain Pitre, is accused of fraud and breach of trust following an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commissioner. 

The Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) investigation tends to show that, between 2009 and 2023, Mr. Pitre allegedly used the services provided by municipal employees under his direction for his own benefit. 

In addition, between 2021 and 2023, the accused allegedly took advantage of subsidies awarded under the financial assistance program for heritage restoration of the Ministry of Culture and Communications, for which he was responsible, for personal purposes. 

He would have benefited from more than $5,000 of public money for the renovation of his house, depriving other citizens of subsidies. The Municipal Commission’s report from last July mentioned some $80,000. He will appear on March 10 at the Percé Courthouse. 

In December 2024, UPAC asked the Town to lift the professional privacy surrounding the administrative investigation that led to Mr. Pitre’s dismissal. 

The organization requested access to the report following a request for disclosure from prosecutors from the Bureau of Serious Crime and Special Affairs of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions. 

UPAC had committed to using the report only for the specific purposes of the request and to keeping the document confidential until criminal charges were filed if the investigation were to come to that point. 

On November 14, 2023, UPAC went to the Town Hall to meet with the then Director General, Jean-François Coderre, and various municipal employees in connection with the suspension of the former executive. 

At the time, the executive was the subject of allegations of fraud, theft of large sums of money and falsification of documents. 

An administrative investigation was launched to verify these allegations, with the Town indicating at the time that the suspension, with pay, followed a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in order to respect the presumption of innocence. 

On July 17, 2024, the town council dismissed the former executive following the filing of the 340-page administrative investigation report in labour law, by the law firm Therrien, Couture and Joli-Coeur. The council adopted a resolution a few minutes after learning of the document ordered during his suspension with pay on October 30. 

Since the case was at risk of being brought to court, the municipal council had made no further comments on the resolution adopted that validated the dismissal. 

The former executive is contesting his dismissal, and the hearing before the Administrative Labour Tribunal was postponed several times. The bill for the administrative investigation amounted to $131,250. 

The mayor of Percé is reserving his comments following the announcement by the Anti-Corruption Commissioner. “This is a judicial matter. We will not comment. We will wait with you for the judgment,” Daniel Leboeuf said simply on the sidelines of the February 4 municipal council meeting. 

Former director of urban planning for the Town of Percé faces charges Read More »

Fréchette steps down as director general of Percé 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – Michel Fréchette, who has been the director general of the Town of Percé since July 29 surprised the municipal council when he submitted his resignation a few minutes before the start of the February 4 public meeting. 

Once the council was seated, Michel Fréchette handed the mayor and each of the councillors a four-page letter in an envelope, explaining the reasons for his resignation. 

The decision of the town’s top civil servant is surprising, as he had signed a five-year contract, which included a one-year probation period and required two evaluations before he could become permanent in his position. 

Moreover, the initial agenda of the council included the hiring of an external resource to conduct “a summary mid-term evaluation of the general management,” an item that was removed after Mr. Fréchette’s letter was submitted. 

“I am as shocked as you are. We knew from the start in his letter of intent that he did not intend to make a career at the Town of Percé. He came to bring back a certain stability.

I have not read his letter of resignation, which is quite long. We will study it in council and we will take note of it,” comments the mayor, Daniel Leboeuf. 

The announcement of this departure, which will be effective March 6, creates another gap in the organizational structure, considering that currently there is no clerk or director of public works and urban planning in the public administration. 

“One complication does not wait for another,” the mayor commented. 

The Town had ordered an organizational diagnosis in January. The work began the same day his resignation was announced. 

“They’re coming to give us tips on how to get organized. We really need them. They’re going to help us with the process of hiring a director general. Maybe it’s coming at the right time to question everyone’s responsibilities,” says Mr. Leboeuf. 

Mr. Fréchette’s hiring was not a unanimous decision within the council. He replaced Jean-François Coderre, who left the position by mutual agreement on June 21. 

Mr. Fréchette declined to comment on February 4, giving the council time to review his resignation letter. 

Fréchette steps down as director general of Percé  Read More »

A beach replenishment will be necessary in Percé

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – After noticing that the Anse du Sud beach will have to be replenished this year, Percé Mayor Daniel Leboeuf raised the issue with the Ministry of Public Security. 

The mayor noted work done in the 2010s, including the rebuilt promenade, and the beach replenishment which protects the promenade but it remains vulnerable in certain areas. 

“The emergency work carried out in the fall of 2023 made it possible to secure the promenade and other structures. Adjustment work was planned for 2024, but it happened at the beginning of the summer. There was a difference of opinion with what the Ministry of Public Safety was proposing and there were other incidents,” explains Mayor Leboeuf, referring to, without saying so, the resignation of former Mayor Cathy Poirier. 

“From one point of view, it was a good thing because, before Christmas, we had a few high tides that encroached on the recharge and the promenade is close to being in danger. We will need it done in 2025 and discussions with the Ministry of Public Safety have begun,” he says. 

In 2023, a massive recharge had been done, even going so far as to practically eliminate developments carried out in 2017. 

“It’s a bit of trial and error. We identified a few places where we would need to add more,” explains the mayor. 

The Ministry of Public Safety will assume the bulk of the costs, with a game plan expected by the end of January. Meanwhile, emergency repairs to the old promenade wall inside the fishing harbour, done last year, will need to be redone. The Ministry of Transport has been called in to address this portion. 

“The end of this promenade has been affected. Even the emergency work is starting to fail. We are losing big chunks of it,” says the elected official. “We will have to see if we will have to find another solution,” he says. 

Organizational diagnosis 

The Town of Percé has commissioned an organizational diagnosis to assess its municipal administration, following a report published last year on its operations. A contract worth $63,256, with the possibility of reaching $70,000 with various amendments, was awarded to the firm GO RH. 

At the January 14 municipal council meeting, some citizens questioned this expense, asking why the work was not done internally. “One of the problems we have to face is the shortage of municipal officers. The director of urban planning has left, the clerk has retired, and the municipal inspector is not in the office. It would be asking for extra work from the remaining employees for a human resources specialist approach,” explains the mayor. 

Using specialists who have experience could be beneficial for the Town of Percé. “They have seen other things and can find ways for us to operate more efficiently and perhaps even with a more reasonable budget. We found that it was a good investment,” he states. 

The town plans to meet with the firm in the coming days to define the schedule and the mayor hopes to submit the report by the end of the year. 

Even though the Commission had not made it an obligation, this exercise was strongly suggested. “When the school principal recommends that we line up and enter the classroom, we obey,” says Mr. Leboeuf 

Petition in support of Mr. Émile 

A petition to support the relocation project of Fumoir M. Émile de Percé has collected 634 signatures and has been submitted to the municipal council. 

The ten existing jobs, the strengthening of the agritourism economy, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, the international recognition of the product and its local pride are cited in support of the request. The petition, initiated by the employees, was submitted by co-owner Cathy Poirier to the elected officials. 

The company had requested a zoning change to allow a larger building at Anse-à-Beaufils, which was refused in December. 

“I would ask you, Mr. Mayor, if you could sit down with the council again to discuss the situation. The project will respect the district of the sector in its architecture, its attractiveness, etc.,” argued Ms. Poirier. 

In the event of a positive response, Ms. Poirier added that a building permit would be required, which would allow for all the elements to be detailed in accordance with an amended by-law. 

The council has accepted the petition. 

In December, the request filed by Alain Méthot consisted of amending the zoning by-law in the Anse-à-Beaufils sector to increase the maximum occupied surface area from 250 square metres to 420 square metres to allow for the installation of a smoking room on the street in Bonfils. 

The company’s objective was to bring together its facilities on Highway 132, rather than maintaining activities on Chemin d’Irlande. 

The council’s rejection of the zoning change was perceived by Ms. Poirier as a form of revenge, as she had resigned from the municipal council in July following several months of tension with certain council members and ongoing issues at the town hall. 

A beach replenishment will be necessary in Percé Read More »

Percé budgets for its Tourist Information Office for 2025

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – The Town of Percé is putting funding for the Tourist Information Office back into its budget in 2025. Funding for the Tourist Information Office was removed when the 2024 budget was tabled, a position that council had revised to keep it open thereafter. 

“Last year, funds were taken from the unallocated surplus to maintain the service. Council learned its lesson and put the budget back into a new operating mode with an additional person and a little less promotional budget. We are continuing discussions with merchants to transfer part of the management of tourist information to them. It targets their customers, but it’s not over yet,” explains Mayor Daniel Leboeuf, who emphasizes that this is a transition year. 

The town adopted a budget that increased by 6%, bringing the total to $8 million. 

Percé is seeing its equalization and QST transfers increase by 166%, reaching $519,000. This helps save taxpayers despite the filing of a new assessment roll that increases the municipality’s real estate wealth by 52% for residential properties. 

For example, the average home has had an increase in value from $117,000 to $178,000, but the overall increase in the tax bill is only 2%, since the tax rate was lowered from $1.34 to $0.90 per $100 of assessment. 

“It’s good for someone who wants to sell their home, but not for paying taxes. That’s why we adjusted the rate,” explains the elected official. 

Only the rates for wastewater treatment are increasing from $295 to $350, while the citizens of Cap-d’Espoir see the bill increase from $350 to $400. 

A reserve of $300,000 has been created for personnel management. “Also for recruitment. There is a shortage of managers in key positions. Our clerk is going to retire. We need to recruit a new one. There are resources that will come to help us with recruitment. It is better to plan for more than less,” notes the mayor. 

The town must also renew the collective agreement of its unionized employees and conduct an organizational diagnosis as requested by the Quebec Municipal Commission in its devastating report on municipal management. 

The unallocated surplus is $750,000, but the town would like to see that surplus increased. “Ideally, it should be increased by about $300,000 or $400,000. Last year, we used it several times for some $360,000. It made us fall below the waterline. We have to go back above the waterline,” says Mr. Leboeuf. 

The three-year capital plan includes expenses totalling $8.4 million, including $4.2 million allocated for road network maintenance and $1.5 million for the renewal of the pipes on Biard and Mont-Joli streets, starting in 2025. 

“The council presented its resolutions last year, and some projects were abandoned. We are focusing on preserving our infrastructure while improving others,” justifies the mayor. 

Percé budgets for its Tourist Information Office for 2025 Read More »

UPAC requests report on administrative investigation into Ghislain Pitre

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) is asking the Town of Percé to lift professional secrecy surrounding the administrative investigation that led to the dismissal of former urban planning director Ghislain Pitre. 

The request, sent by UPAC on December 2 to the Town of Percé, asks for access to the report following a request for disclosure from prosecutors from the Bureau of Serious Crimes and Special Affairs of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP). 

In the resolution’s recitals, UPAC committed to using the report only for the specific purposes of the request and will keep the document confidential until criminal charges are filed, should the investigation lead to that outcome. 

While the report remains protected by professional secrecy, the request aims to facilitate UPAC’s work. 

On December 3, the municipal council unanimously adopted the resolution lifting professional secrecy for the investigation after consulting with Therrien, Couture, Jolicoeur, the firm mandated by the Town to investigate the allegations. 

In July, the council dismissed Mr. Pitre in a special meeting by a vote of five to one following the filing of the law firm’s 340-page administrative investigation report on labour law. 

The council adopted a resolution a few minutes after learning of the document ordered during his suspension with pay on October 30, 2023. 

Since the case could go to court, the municipal council did not make any further comments regarding the resolution adopted to validate the dismissal. 

Mr. Pitre filed a complaint with the Administrative Labour Tribunal on August 13. In response, the council adopted a resolution in September to mandate a law firm to defend the Town following the complaint. 

Serious allegations against the former Director of Urban Planning led to his suspension which, in turn, prompted the administrative investigation. The cost of the investigation amounted to $131,250. 

Furthermore, following a question asked by a citizen, the public learned that the council hasn’t taken any steps to recoup the compensation paid between the time of the suspension and the dismissal of the former employee. 

The Director General, Michel Fréchette, mentioned at the public meeting that a reflection was underway, but since there was no trial, no decision has been made. A claim could be possible, depending on the outcome of any criminal proceedings against Mr. Pitre. 

On another note, the letter asking the Minister of Municipal Affairs to intervene with the Municipal Commission in order to force a meeting between the commission, elected officials, the Town and citizens was sent to the Minister. 

The mayor applied his veto at the November council meeting, which was subsequently overturned in a special session. 

The Town received an acknowledgement of receipt from the Minister’s office. Citizens would like to know the content of the letter sent to the Minister. However, before doing so, the Town is checking with the Access to Information Commission to see if such a request can be accepted. 

The Town has also requested a legal opinion on this issue. On October 8, Quebec Municipal Commission (CMQ) President Jean-Philippe Marois sent a letter rejecting the Town’s request to clarify certain elements to discuss the never-declared accountability. 

Director Michel Fréchette stated that the report mentioned the effects of the issue, without mentioning the cause, which is what the Town was seeking to know in a request sent on October 1. 

In a report released in July, the Direction des enquêtes et des poursuites en intégrité municipale (DEPIM) concluded, based on paragraph 4 of section 4 of the Act to facilitate the disclosure of wrongdoings against public bodies, that there was a serious case of mismanagement in the Town of Percé. 

UPAC requests report on administrative investigation into Ghislain Pitre Read More »

Percé zoning: Former mayor says she is the victim of revenge

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – A request for a zoning change made by Fumoir M. Émile in Percé was denied by the municipal council on December 3, leading former Mayor Cathy Poirier, co-owner of the business, to say that elected officials acted out of revenge against her. 

The request filed by Alain Méthot, consisted of amending the zoning by-law in effect in the Anse-à-Beaufils sector to increase the maximum occupied surface area from 250 square metres to 420 square metres. This amendment would have allowed the installation of a smokehouse on Bonfils Street. The company’s goal was to move the facilities closer to Highway 132 rather than maintain operations on Chemin d’Irlande. 

“We are extremely disappointed with the municipal council’s decision, considering that Fumoir M. Émile is a company that has been based in Percé for 19 years, that hires 10 employees and that we operate year-round. We want to have a slightly more efficient plant, but especially in a much busier location,” said Cathy Poirier. 

According to the entrepreneur, the zoning allowed for the operation of a smokehouse. However, the mayor questioned the sector councillor, Yannick Cloutier, who justified the council’s decision. 

“We are talking about a request to increase the area from 250 metres to 420 square metres. The Apur firm recommended having 1.8-metre fences on each side. Mr. Méthot’s request concerns a bylaw amendment. We consulted and came to the conclusion that with Apur’s recommendation, we were asking you to go back to the drawing board and see if there was a way to make it smaller,” said Mr. Cloutier. 

Mr. Cloutier provided Fumoir le paternel as an example. That smokehouse has a surface area of 250 square metres and is located not far from the coveted site. Mr. Cloutier, the shareholder and president of the historic Anse-à-Beaufils store noted that its surface area is 469 square metres. 

Ms. Poirier also provided examples that are nearby including the hardware store and the Pit Caribou microbrewery, which have larger surface areas. 

“What could the smokehouse change? There is no smoke. We are talking about an architecture that will be compliant. You, yourself (councillor Cloutier), are the neighbouring owner of something that is even bigger than what we’re asking for. Visually, I don’t think the ‘too big’ argument holds water,” says Ms. Poirier, who points out that the land belongs to her daughter’s grandfather. The young woman has just invested in the company. 

“I invite you to go back to your drawing boards and make us an offer of 250 square metres or 300 square metres,” suggests Councillor Cloutier. 

“The firm didn’t say no. It just suggested putting up screens,” replies Ms. Poirier. 

“If we have to rebuild a shop, we’re not going to do it to the size of what we have. We’re going to do it according to our needs,” says Ms. Poirier, who suggests that at worst, she will build her new smokehouse in another municipality. 

Turning to councillor Doris Rehel, Ms. Poirier asked for an explanation. “Ms. Rehel was called last week by my colleague Mr. Alain Méthot to get an update because our request is dated April 2. Ms. Rehel responded to Mr. Méthot, surprisingly, that the Town needed to know if he still owns Fumoir M. Émile because it would go down better at the town council,” said Ms. Poirier. 

“I won’t answer,” said Ms. Rehel. “It would go down better if Cathy Poirier didn’t own Fumoir M. Émile,” the businesswoman reiterated. “I never said that,” replied the elected official. 

Faced with this response, Cathy Poirier turned to the mayor, Daniel Leboeuf. “Please know that I am extremely disappointed and I would like to ask you a question: do you think that, perhaps, there would be a form of relentlessness or a certain vengeance from the town council?” asked Ms. Poirier. 

The mayor echoed Councillor Cloutier’s response, so to speak. 

“We wanted to do something good in a convenient environment,” she said. Mr. Leboeuf indicated that the areas had to be taken into account. 

On December 4, Ms. Poirier mentioned to SPEC that the towns of Grande-Rivière and Gaspé would be ready to welcome her business with open arms. 

The mayor of Grande-Rivière, Gino Cyr, confirmed that he contacted the businesswoman on the morning of December 4 to offer her land in the industrial park and near the airport, which would allow her to export her products more quickly. 

The mayor of Gaspé, Daniel Côté, also confirmed that he spoke with Ms. Poirier suggesting a potential site in Rivière-au-Renard, the fishing capital, in the rue du Banc sector. 

Percé zoning: Former mayor says she is the victim of revenge Read More »

UNESCO renews accreditation for the Percé Geoparc 

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – The Percé Geoparc has succeeded in getting its UNESCO accreditation renewed. During the 9th Session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, held on September 8 and 9 in Non Nuoc Cao Bang, Vietnam, it was recommended that the Percé Geoparc receive a green flag, a symbol of excellence in the sustainable management of its territory. 

In 2022, UNESCO granted a two year renewal extension to the Percé Geoparc following the discovery of several issues that have since been addressed. 

“We’ve worked tirelessly since December 2023 on this, up to the visit of the two evaluators from France and Ireland last July,” says Geoparc president Daniel Leboeuf. The recommendations will be submitted to the UNESCO Executive Board for final approval in March 2025. 

“We have passed the evaluation phase. Unless we have a fire or a drastic event, we can be confident of having this title for the next four years,” he emphasizes. 

In 2022, the Geoparks Council had issued a yellow rating for the Percé Geoparc. This yellow rating, which acts as a warning, indicated that improvements were necessary. 

Signage to guide people to the geoparc, signs at the entrances to Percé, a redesign of the geoparc’s map with trails and geosites needed clarification. A display to showcase Canadian and international geoparks was also needed. 

“We had to demonstrate that we have a very good collaboration with other stakeholders in the community: the national park, tourism providers, and Tourisme Gaspésie. We had them meet with many stakeholders between Barachois and Anse-à-Beaufils and they saw that the geoparc was a real cooperative. It’s a relief everyone’s efforts didn’t fall through,” says Mr. Leboeuf. 

The financial problems over the last few years represented an additional challenge, but 2024 numbers show that is now behind them. 

“The figures are available up until the end of August, and they show that we are on the right track. So far, it has been a very nice season with the sun. The recovery efforts started last year and this nice season will give us a good cushion,” he says. 

The next four years will allow for further refinement of the site. “So far in our immediate plans, we have to make improvements to our parking lots, develop a food service at the glass platform that visitors have asked us for and we have the permit from MAPAQ (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) to do so. We are exploring parts of the geoparc that are not yet exploited to open other geosites. If we can add one or two more before the four years is up, that would be much appreciated,” says the president. The zipline has been set aside due to its low profitability. 

UNESCO Global Geoparks are geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed according to a global concept of protection, education and sustainable development while involving communities. 

UNESCO renews accreditation for the Percé Geoparc  Read More »

 Vision celebrates 20 years at AGM 

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Cynthia Dow, LJI Journalist

 enthusiastic crowd gathered on Thursday, September 19, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Vision Gaspé-Percé Now at Destination Gaspé. “Twenty years is a long time to survive for a community organization,” President Tony Conoley told the crowd, “The support from the government has grown, the network of partners has grown, and the number of programs we offer has grown as well.” 

“And I don’t want to quote Donald Trump, but the number of clients is beautiful, beautiful!” exclaimed Mr. Conoley, garnering a laugh from the attendees. 

The President went on to express his appreciation for the group’s partners, board members, staff and volunteers. “This past year we continued to work hard to offer a large diversity of services and programs. We are building a youth program. We have increased our mental wellness activities and we are studying the feasibility of buying our building our own place.” 

A representative from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages was the guest speaker for the evening.  Alexandre Renaud presented the results of a recent study which indicated how myths and misperceptions about anglophone and francophone Quebecers are still a common occurrence. SPEC will have an in-depth look at that report in our next issue. 

Every year Vision invites nominations for Volunteer of The Year. Executive Director Jessica Synnott indicated that there were eleven nominations this year. “Volunteers are very much at the heart of any community organization.” The winner was Rhonda Stewart, who has worked diligently with Camp Fort Haldimand. 

In the absence of the auditor, board member Connie Jacques presented the annual financial report. “The auditor found no problems with the report. We have a $4,000 surplus, much like last year,” Ms. Jacques explained. The AGM approved the reappointment of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton as auditors for next year. 

Vision’s communications officer, Emma McGinnis, then took the attendees through a game of Kahoot with a series of questions to emphasize the impact of the organization. Participants discovered there were almost 100 sessions for the training and retention of healthcare workers with Dialogue McGill, and three recipients of the McGill Bursary: Amy Briand-Fournier, Madison Dorion, and Gabrielle Labbé. 

Vision has added a fifth Senior’s Wellness Centre: Douglastown now joins Gaspé, Murdochville, Maison Quartier, and Barachois as a location for these activities to support seniors’ physical, cognitive and mental health. 

The Bright Beginnings program held 29 activities for children, and 10 prenatal sessions were held. Vue d’Ensemble is a two-year project to bring French and English youth together for activities such as a drama club and lunch hour games. Eight activities were held. 

More than 13,000 frozen meals were delivered to seniors last year, up an astounding 33% from 2022-23. The number of seniors also increased by 31% to 929. 

At the end of the meeting, two new board members joined the group, bringing the total to ten with one seat remaining vacant. This year’s board will include newcomers Shauna Simpson and Linda Jean, with Tony Conoley, Connie Jacques, Deborah Adams, Larry English, Jonathan Côté, Diane Kennedy, Nancy Briand, and Jonathan Jean repeating. 

 Vision celebrates 20 years at AGM  Read More »

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